The Montagne de Dun

Park in the car park in the village of Mussy-sous-Dun, which is located after the railway line on the right.

(S/E) Turn right towards the church. Go round the building by turning left and continue to a T-junction.

(1) Leave the tarmac and follow a steep path heading due north. After 300m, take a short detour to the left to admire the statue of the Madonna standing amongst the fir trees to the south-west.

(2) Turn back and continue the climb towards the junction at the 494m mark.

(3) Turn right onto the ridge, then left towards L’Aye, arriving at a junction (altitude 550m).

(4) Continue left, heading north then west, and enter the forest. Keep heading in this direction and reach the crossroads before the hamlet of Le Ry (view of the houses).

(5) At the T-junction, head north up the path on the right. Near the 614m mark, turn right (south-southeast) onto the ridge path. Ignore two turn-offs on the right and head towards Dunet.

(6) Turn left onto the tarmac road. Walk alongside the pond on the left and head for Borcelle du Haut (altitude 590m) by turning right.

(7) At the junction, turn right (north), walking behind the house and through the forest to reach Pierre-qui-Vire.

(8) Turn right into the Douglas fir forest (the entire southern section of which was felled in December 2017). Reach a fork in the hazel trees (altitude 690m).

(9) Turn left then right to visit Montagne de Dun (710m), with the Chapelle de Dun situated in the commune of Saint-Racho. You can also continue to the right then turn left to reach the summit.

(10) This former fortress, now in ruins, was the scene of epic battles. Take a moment to look at the two information boards before beginning the descent.

Turn right onto the fairly steep tarmac road (elevation 690m), heading south, and reach the Dunet crossroads.

(6) Head down towards the east (to the left) for about 300m to reach the forest track.

(11) Turn right onto it to reach the hamlet of L'Aye, which you passed through earlier.

(4) Go straight on to follow the route of the outward journey to the junction at elevation 494.

(3) Leave the outward route on your left and turn right. Then turn left to reach Les Mathys and the first junction.

(1) Complete the route by following the outward route back to the car park (S/E).

1. Preparing for the hike:
- Check Visorando
- Stop by the Chauffailles Tourist Office.

Drinking water points: at the Chapelle de Dun (x2) plus toilets.

Equipment = walking boots with treaded soles.
Rucksack, water bottles, packed lunch, cutlery, jacket, hat, sunglasses, mobile phone (112), camera, binoculars, Visorando route, IGN maps.
First-aid kit.

Clothing: the weather will determine everything!

Thunderstorms = lightning strikes mainly at high points, so do not head up towards Dun in the event of a storm. The chapel has already been struck by lightning!

Bear in mind that the wind can make the cold feel worse, but in summer, what a pleasure it is to find cool air up on the north-facing slopes.

NB: this applies throughout France... ticks are carriers of Lyme disease, a condition with many forms that is often misdiagnosed.
Recommendation = wear long trousers for safety and check for the presence of these unwanted guests at the end of your walk.

(9) Out of curiosity, look for the statue of the big cat (150m west of the chapel), as the second statue has been stolen.
Visit the Arboretum.
A slight variation on the outward route: head for the 454-metre mark to bypass ‘Les Mathys’ to the west.

Safety: you’re never far from a tarmac road for a quick return.

Stunning panoramic views.

The Mussy-sous-Dun railway viaduct, built of cut stone, is a technical feat.
Magnificent sports and play areas by the River Mussy (car park).

The Druids: The Turning Stone.

The fortress of Dun and its history.

The chapel, which can be visited in the summer afternoons thanks to volunteers.

The tales and legends of the Mountain.

Can you spot the statue of the ‘lion’ or the ‘tiger’?

A landscape of hedgerows, home to ‘white’ cows – always mothers with their calves.
Do not cross the natural hedges or barbed wire fences.

Forestry: Douglas fir is ubiquitous on steep slopes.
Cyclical felling (every 40 to 50 years) explains why maps can sometimes be out of date.

Blackberries, which are very vigorous, grow in the hedgerows.

Things not to do:
Vandalise, pollute or damage the summit area with 4x4s, quads and motocross/enduro bikes...
Access restricted to disabled visitors (the barrier marks the boundary of the site).